2008 Buffalo Bills
Written August 6, 2008 by Jason Lowry
With another season less than a month away Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 Buffalo Bills season predictions. The Bills looked like they were primed to at least finish the season at .500 last year, but wound up losing its last 3 games and finished the season at 7-9, which was still good enough for 2nd place in the AFC East. This year the Bills bring a solid player to the d-line in tackle Marcus Stroud, and there is big hopes for the teams draft picks of corner Leodis Mckelvin and wide receiver James Hardy. This year the Bills look to improve on their performance from a year ago, and to get a good idea at just how good this team will be lets take a look what they will be sending to the field in 2008.
Offense:
The team got quite the surprise last year as rookie Trent Edwards came in really showcased his talents, and wound up stealing the starting job from J.P. Lossman. If Edwards can continue to improve the Bills could end up being a force in this division for many years to come. With the addition of rookie wide receiver James Hardy, the Bills hope that it will create more opportunities for Lee Evans, who really struggled to get going at all last season. The running game looks like it is in good hands with 2nd year back Marshawn Lynch who rushed for over 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie last season. If there are question surrounding this unit it comes from the offensive line where the team doesn’t have a lot of big name talent. What you have to like about this group is that improved both the running game and pass protection, but its hard telling if it was more of the line improving or just better play from both the quarterback and running back positions. What this team needs is to find the end zone more, and hopefully it can do that this season.
Bills Over/Under 7.5 wins in 2008 at Sportsbook.com
Defense:
The Bills defense really has a lot to do with how well Stroud can come in and play at the tackle spot, if Stroud is a force in the middle like he was in Jacksonville then the Bills defense will instantly get better. The team needs more pressure on the opposing team quarterbacks, and it will be up to Pro Bowler Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay to get the job done. The defense should get an jump start either way if linebacker Paul Posluszny can come back and play a full season, as he could end up being a future star at middle linebacker. The team also brought in Kawika Mitchell from the Giants to start at one of the outside spots. With the front 7 looking like it will be much improved if healthy in 2008, it will be up to the secondary to make sure it comes in ready to go this season, and with the addition of Mckelvin to join forces with current starter Terrence McGee at corner, while Ko Simpson and Donte Whitner do damage at the safety spots. Again if healthy this unit could be a real force this season.
Bills +2500 odds to win AFC Conference at Sportsbook.com
Special Teams
While you probably wouldn’t know this if you weren’t a Bills fan, but the Bills have one of the best special teams in football. Both kicker Rian Lindell and punter Brian Moorman are well above average in the kicking game, and the return duo of kick returner Terrence McGee and punt returner Roscoe Parrish are about as solid as it gets. With the addition of the drafts best rated return man in McKelvin, this unit could get even better in 2008.
Bills +5000 odds to win Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com
Prediction: 3rd in the AFC East
While there is a lot to like about this Bills team, as it seems to be stock piling on young talent, we just think they are a year away from that breakout season everyone is looking for. We do see a slight improvement as they should be able to get to 8-8 this season, and distance themselves from the last place Dolphins. If this team comes in and avoids the injury bug, then we could see this team surpassing the Jets for the No. 2 spot in the East.
If you feel like placing a bet on any of the Bills upcoming season odds, then take some time and get an account started at Sportsbook.com today. Also if you want that extra bit of info on the Bills this season, see what others are saying in these 2008 Bills predictions.